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The Fairy 

and The Witch 



BY 



A. D. NELSON. 




PRICE 15 CENTS 



Eldridge Entertainment House 



Franklin, Ohio 



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THE FAIRY AND THE WITCH 



An allegorical sketch for Hallowe'en, in which is 

related the fall of Black Witch and the 

rise of White Fairy. 



By A. D. NELSON. 



Copyright. 1915. Eldridge Entertainment House. 



Eldridge Entertainment House. 

FRANKLIN. OHIO. 






•^^ 



^' 



^CI.D 42590 



DFP 90 laiK 



PROPERTIES. 

One black kettle or cauldron, of iron. 

One tripod constructed of rough sticks about 2 inches 
in diameter and fastened at top by wire, chain or 
rope from which kettle is hung. 

One wand for White Fairy. 

One Black Rod for the Witch, to be so constructed 
that it will break into two pieces at will. 

One contrivance for making a light appear in witch's 
kettle at will. 

An organ or piano for music, off stage, if desired 
where indicated in lines of play. 



CHARACTERS. 

White Fairy— SLTi older chili, female. 

Black Witch— Sidult, female, or an additional ef- 
fectiveness can be made in the denouement if this be 
impersonated by a male, speaking in a shrill high- 
pitched falsetto. 

Mirth— First Fairy Messenger, child, male or 
female. 

Jollity— Second Fairy Messenger, child, male or 
female. 

Erebus— Imip of Blackness, child, male or female. 

Noctis-Blsick Fury of Night, child, male or 
female. 

The Children— in any number. 



COSTUMES. 

Conventional costume for White Fairy; also con- 
ventional witch costume for Black Witch with addi- 
tion of black mask and hood for face and back of head 
to conceal identity. The witch costume to be so con- 
structed that it can be easily removed. 

Fairy Messengers clad in white or some diaphan- 
ous drapery of light blue or pink. 

Erebus and Noctis costumes, black, armless in- 
verted sacks running from a point above head to a 
fullness at shoes with eye-holes, etc., cut in proper 
place. 

Children costumes, as they may be dressed. 



The Fairy and The Witch. 



(Scene: A clearing in the forest, with Witch's 
kettle suspended on tripod near the Right 
Front of Stage. ^ No scenery is necessary hut 
an added effectiveness can he secured if play 
is given out of doors.) 

(Enter White Fairy from hack of stage, to accom- 
paniment of light, lilting music if desired. White 
Fairy in pantomime casts spell over region hy tripping 
lightly to right of stage and waving wand, thence over 
kettle, thence lo front, thence to left. Exit White 
Fairy at rear, music ceases. ) 

(Enter Black Witch from left, plods toward kettle 
chuckling fiendishly. Bends over kettle, presumahly 
examining it, then moves toivards left across front of 
stage during reading of lines. ) 

Black Witch (hoastfully) Mistress of this black 
night am I. Witch and wizard of all the powers of 
night and darkness I am. Supreme above all good in 
the Spirit World, tonight on mundane earth. I come 
to work my spell and my skill in arts malign display. 
Not all thejholy saints, who tomorrow rule the day, 
can wrest from me my power of night— Hallowe'en! 
(in derision) A hallowed evening! Oh, ho, ho! Ah, 
ha, ha!! From that proud eminence brought low by 
me and now decreed to devilish deeds and dark! 
Thus shall it ever be. (Calling toward left, off stage.) 
Come now my hosts of somber reputation. Make 
merry! With fell design make we night hideous. 
Come Owl and hoot for me! {Listens, no response, 
calls louder.) Come Owl! Hoot Owl! (Oivl hoots off 
stage, left. Aside, chuckling.) Didst hear the old 
fool hoot? (Calling oivl) Come nearer Owl, perch 
thou upon my shoulder. (Owl hoots again very faint- 
ly. Pleading) Come Owl, Owl come! (No response. 



6 The Fairy and The Witch 

Grows slightly alarmed. Muses) What portends this ?# 
Am I now to lose my power as Jove hath so long men- 
aced? Owl has fled and will not come to me. (Pauses, 
resumes hopefully) Ah, well, in my train come others 
who will heed and answer me. This night Black 
Witch must have her way! 

(During next lines tvhile calling upon her hosts the 
Witch moves to and fro calling toward different sections 
of the region as taste may dictate except as indicated 
with the lines. ) 

Black Witch Black Cat, most common beast of evil 
augury, what sayest thou? Come forth Black Cat. 
Let thy penetrating howl echo through the wood. 
Roost thou upon my back. Come Black Cat, oh! 
Black Cat come! (Pauses looks expectantly toward 
tree, no response. Then muses a trifle sadly.) Ah! 'tis 
indeed a night of evil omen when my own Black Cat 
forsaketh me. (Turning hopefidly) Raven! Thou 
bird of sable plumage, bleak and drear, hear thy mis- 
tress call. Sound thy raucous note athwart the 
evening air. Come Raven! bear me company. 
(Pauses, no response. Despairingly) Raven too is 
gone and will not heed my voice. (Brightening) Oh! 
well, not yet do we despair, with ill intent and fury 
unabated call we yet others! (From front center of 
stage directly facing audience.) Come snake! sleek- 
bellied serpent, curse of women, cursed by men, come 
forth my own beloved. (Drags point of cane, wiggling, 
along ground from stage front towards self. ) Start 
from thy hole, oh! snake of mine. Let thy rattling 
hisses be heard among the leaves. Coil clammily 
around me! (Pauses, no response, resumes furiously) 
Seven curses be upon thee, pampered pet of Eve, and 
thou wilt not come! Turns away in despair and next 
calls with rather hopeless air.) Jackal, night prowler 
of the forest, hast thou joined this motley crew of 
renegades? (Pleadingly) Heedmy voice, oh! Jackal! 
Prithee leave thy secret lair; come forth! Strike thy 
eerie call weird and dominant! Soft-footed creep 
through the forest aisles reposing at my feet. (Pauses, 



The Fairy and The Witch 7 

no response, resumes furiously. ) Keep to thy den 
accursed beast forever! Rot and die! 

Black Witch {Musing sadly) Even yet, methinks, 
I must rely upon my frisky imps of darkness to aid 
in this foul festival! {Again brightens hopefully, ex- 
claims) But no! But no! 

{At this line Black Witch should he near front of 
stage at point directly in front of place where Mirth 
will enter. During next lines Black Witch raises 
arms aloft in supplication and backs toward place of 
Mirth^s entrance.) 

Black Witch (Moving backwards, hands aloft in 
earnest supplication.) Come, Wind of night! oh, Night 
Wind come! Thy blasting fury loose upon this world! 
{Pauses, drops arms, no response, again muses sadly. ) 
Ah! Wind of Night, on which Fve drifted through the 
sky these thousand years, hast thou too deserted me? 
(Again raises arms aloft and cries in desperation} 
Will none come forth to do my will? 

(Enter Mirth, silently, directly behind Black Witch. 
Remains behind B. W. and out of her sight, dogging 
her footsteps, poking fun at her, making grimaces, etc) 

Black Witch (Moving totvards kettle soliloquizing 
brokenly) Ah, mighty Jove, hast thou delivered me 
unto mine enemies on this dark night of all dark 
nights?— some one has cast a spell upon the place 
and for the moment I am powerless — Aye! for the 
moment! (looks at her rod as if conscious of it for the 
first time) But I have still my trusty rod of black, 
and it will yet dispel this impotence oppressive — 
Though my voice fail this rod will fail me not! 

(Makes passes over kettle with rod and turning 
slightly catches sight of Mirth.) 

Black Witch (Rather amused as if White Fairy 
were a foe of small consequence.) Ah, ha! White Fairy 
is now revealed as Jove's agent to work my ruin and 
she hath sent Mirth, her messenger, to haunt my 
footsteps and bedevil me! (chuckles, then calls) Come 



8 The Fairy and The Witch 

Erebus, Imp of Blackness, come! Make haste and 
drive this Mirth away. 

{Erebus groans, off stage, left) 
(Enter Erebus from left, treading sloivly and heavily) 

Black Witch What ails thee, Imp of Blackness? 

Erebus ( Yawning) I sleep and cannot wake. My 
feet drag like lead behind me. (groans) My eyes will 
not open and my body wilts in sleep. 

Black Witch (Musing) It is the dread fairy spell! 
(severely to Erebus) Cease thy deep grumblings and 
drive Mirth away from here. 

(Erebus takes after Mirth. Mirth tripping lightly, 
Erebus dragging himself along heavily. ) 

(Exeunt Erebus and Mirth to back of stage.) 

Black Witch (Calling, toward left) Come also 
Noctis, Black Fury of the night, come too! Speed 
thee hence. Lend thy brother aid. 

(Enter Noctis, moaning and yawning, also treading 
heavily as if in a stupor. ) 

Noctu^ (Lifelessly) Did call me, mother Witch? 

Black Witch (Sharply) I did, and art thou also 
sodden with a heavy stupor? 

Noctis (Trembling) I am, dread mother Witch. 
My eyes refuse to open and my feet will not obey my 
will. 

Black Witch (Impatiently) Cease thy grumblings 
and be thankful that you live. 

(Enter Erebus from back moving ivith crestfallen 
air towards witch. ) 

Black Witch Even now methinks almighty Jove 
hath delivered this region to White Fairy and our 
course is run. (turns to Erebus) Did Mirth escape 
thee? (Erebus bows head) Sodden Imp! (to both) 
But come, let us brew our witch's brew. Gather 
around and with mighty magic incantation will we 
boil a brew to blight the world. 



The Fairy and The Witch 9 

(Enter Mirth and Jollity from hack as Black Witch, 
Erebus and Noctis move toward kettle. Mirth and 
Jollity dog footsteps of the three, remaining out of sight 
poking fun at Witch, etc. Black Witch, Erebus and 
Noctis begin to spread out around kettle while Black 
Witch makes few passes with tvand. She catches sight 
of Mirth and Jollity and screeches.) 

Black Witch (Screeching) Erebus and Noctis! 
fly after these unholy imps of light! 

Erebus and Noctis pursue Mirth and Jollity, the 
fairy messengers tripping lightly, Erebus and Noctis 
following heavily. Exunt, the four, to back of stage. ) 

Black Witch (following a few steps) Fly, fly! 
Let not your foot-steps laggard be. Capture them 
and, returning hence, let their bones and flesh serve 
but to fill the pot. (Turns toivard kettle, chuckling 
with glee.) Oh, ho, ho! Ah, ha, ha! Two fairy 
messengers to grace the witch's brew. Fine will be 
the scent as their bones are burned and flesh is boiled 
into the stew! (Turning) Erebus and Noctis, fail 
me not! 

(Enter Erebus and Noctis returning from chase 
empty handed, from back 0/ stage. ) 

Black Witch Didst let them escape thee, dull imps ? 

Erebus and Noctis (heads hanging) Aye, dread 
mother. 

Black Witch (Beating Erebus and Noctis about 
shoulders tvith rod) Stupid dullards! Worthless 
laggards! See that ye fail me not again! (Indignant) 
Come with me and gather 'round the cauldron. 

( They move over to kettle and take positions around 
it. Black Witch makes passes tvith rod and at signal 
from Black Witch all three chant chorus of incantation 
song. The solo stanzas of this soyig, also the chorus 
are to be droned out in a slow, sing-song chant, no 
particular tune or melody desired. Make it as tveird- 
ly unmusical and inharmonious as possible, but let 
the words ''get across^ ^ distinctly.) 



10 Ihe Fairy and The Witch 

Chorus {Black Witch, Erebus and Noctis, while 
moving around the kettle circling slowly. ) 

We're watching the pot and it's going to boil; 
The air will get hot and this region will spoil, 
But that matters not for we brew witches' oil. 

{Stop circling. Black Witch waves rod. She reaches 
over and fingers the head of Erebus, tosses hand to- 
ivard catddron. Repeats process with Noctis. The 
three immediately resume circling around kettle while 
Black Witch sings first stanza in solo.) 

Black Witch {solo chant) 

1 A louse and a lizard 
And two babies fair; 
The brains of a pole-cat, 
Some coyote's hair; 
Animals, reptiles 

And birds of the air, 
We take of their entrails 
And stir them with care. 

Chorus {the three, still circling) 

We're watching the pot and it's going to boil, 
The air will get hot and this region will spoil. 
But that matters not for we brew witches' oil. 

{All cease circling at conclusion of this chorus. 
Black Witch to be behind kettle facing audience. Ere- 
bus and Noctis on each side. While Black Witch sings 
next stanza the three sway back and forth but do not 
circle around. ) 

Black Witch {solo chants) 

2 To those must be added 
The element, strife; 
Some envy and malice— 
The ills of our life- 
Vengeance and jealousy. 
Backbiting, lies. 

All put in the kettle 
With things we despise! 



The Fairy and The Witch 11 

(The three immediately begin circling again and 
chant chorus. ) 

All We're watching the pot and it's going to boil 
The air will get hot and this region 

Black Witch (Interrupting hysterically and shak^ 
ing rod menacingly towards Erebus and Noctis in turn. ) 
Curses upon thee, torpid imps! Canst not chant with 
thy wonted vim? Let thy voices swell to the far 
gods, else will sovereign Jove hear us not. Raise thy 
voices. I command thee! 

(The three resume circling and re-commence the 
chorus, Erebus and Noctis chanting louder. ) 

All We're watching the pot and it's going to boil, 
The air will get hot and this region will spoil. 
But that matters not for we 

Black Witch (Interrupting by beating the kettle 
with rod and screaming furiously) Curses upon thee, 
dead! black! pot!! 

(Enter White Fairy at back of stage at word *'pof\ 
Fairy raises wand. Light appears inside of kettle as 
Black Witch beats it, to be so timed that the glow ap- 
pears at instant White Fairy raises wand. ) 

Black Witch (screaming triumphantly) Ha! ha! 
it comes! Light comes— light make fire— come fire- 
fire come! 

White Fairy (coming forward and interrupting) 
Stop! I command thee, stop! 

(Erebus and Noctis shiver, moan and fall prone on 
the ground, remaining their until told to fly by Black 
Witch.) 

Fairy (From position a triflle to the left and back 
of kettle, gazing steadily at Witch, ignoring imps.) 
This night thou art delivered unto me. 

Black Witch (moving toward Fairy) Not so, not 
so, loathed Fairy. Though ages old I still am young 
and thou shalt not prevail. 

Fairy (calmly) Thy power is gone 



12 The Fairy and The Witch 

Black Witch {Interrupting in derision) Not yet, 
dear Fairy! {continues with air of triumph) See 
yonder glow in my black pot? With my rod I brought 
it and it will burn and brighten until thee and thine 
consumed and parched be, and the whole world 
blighted. This rod, my power, though it weakened 
be, is potent still and thou canst do naught against 
me 

Fairy {Interrupting with cool hauteur) That light 
is mine. I caused it there. Forever it will glow— a 
a fairy gleam to light and bless the world. Thy pow- 
er is gone, thy rod is dead. 

{Black Witch begins to laugh scornfully, moves over 
and gazes into pot, is startled and laugh is choked 
doivn. 

Black Witch {murmuring hopelessly) 'Tis true. 
'Tis true. 

{Black Witch grows afraid, moves away from kettle 
towards left across front of stage, muttering. Fairy 
maintains her original position but turns around slow- 
ly following movements of Black Witch ivith her eye. 
Fairy makes passes tvith wand toivard Black Witch, 
Black Witch trembles and becomes furiously enraged. ) 

Black Witch {hysterically) Begone, foul fairy, ere 
I smite thee dead! 

Fairy {Calmly) Do thy worst. Thy worst is 
less than none. 

{Black Witch grows desperate, approaches White 
Fairy and raises rod to strike her. At this moment 
B. W. should be to left of Fairy. ) 

Black Witch With mine omnipotent rod I kill thee! 

{Fairy smiles, holds forth her wand. Arms of 
Xlack Witch become rigid in mid^air, ) 

Black Witch {screaming) Fly Erebus and Noctis, 
Imps of Blackness, for your lives make haste! Away! 
Away! 



The Fairy and The Witch IS 

(Exunt Erebus and Noctis to hack passing to the 
right and behind Witch and Fairy. ) 

White Fairy (still smiling) Break rod, rod break! 

(Touches rod with wand, rod breaks.) 

White Fairy (slightly toward audience) And 
thus shall broken be her power forevermore. 

( White Fairy waves her wand toward Black Witch, 
Black Witch trembles, groans, broken piece of rod falls 
from her hand. 

Black Witch (muttering) Tis true. Tis true. 
Jove hath forsaken me and aids this young sprite to 

do me harm (words trail off into silence as White 

Fairy continues to wave wand. ) 

White Fairy (Low and rather sadly) Thy lips 
are silent now forever. Now thou must sleep— sleep 
witch, no longer witch. 

( White Fairy continues to wave wand slowly. Black 
Witch nods head drowsily, wilts into sleep and falls to 
ground. 

White Fairy Thou hast fallen. A deeper sleep is 
thine than fell upon the Imps of Blackness. Sleep 
forever— wake no more! 

(Black Witch exhales one last breath. Dies. ) 

White Fairy (solemnly) Thine is a sleep eternal. 
Thou art dead. 

( White Fairy gives one last pitiful look at dead 
Witch, then turns away smiling. ) 

White Fairy (calling) Come Mirth and Jollity! 
Come, children, come. 

(Mirth and Jollity and children, come tripping in 
with exclamations of childish delight, etc. , until they 
spy the dead Witch; then their cries are hushed, their 
tripping ceases and they move furtively on tip-toe over 
to White Fairy glancing up at her for explanations. ) 

White Fairy Black Witch is dead. Her power is 



14 The Fairy and The Witch 

gone, and Hallowe'en shall always be a hallowed 
evening— holy night! redeemed from evil by the 
power of light. Let men rejoice and women sing. 
Let children play and dance. This night, henceforth, 
is sacred to the joys of children. 

{Children clap hands in applause.) 

White Fairy Come! let us dance. 

{Music starts up. Any lively dance song for children 
such as can he found in any school music book ivill he 
suitahle here. All clasp hands and hegin to circle 
around kettle, singing and dancing. Music hreaks off 
and all stop singing abruptly in middle of first stanza. 
Children all glance towards dead Witch then towards 
Fairy. ) 

White Fairy What is it, children? 

Mirth Good Fairy, we want no one to die. 

White Fairy {touching Mirth with wand) Bless 
you, dear messenger of mine, but the witch is evil 
and cannot live. 

Jollity. Can't you give the witch her life but keep 
her evil power away from her? 

Children {in unison) Please good Fairy, restore 
the Witch's Hfe! Please oh! please. 

White Fairy {pondering) Your pleas move me. 
I will restore the witch's life. In Spirit world she 
can no longer live. A mortal, she must dwell upon 
the earth. 

{Children cluster in ''background'* as Fairy goes 
toward Witch.) 

White Fairy {touching Witch ivith ivand) Insen- 
sate clay awake! Moved by the tears of children, 
whom thou hast terrified and wronged, I give thee 
life. Thou canst no longer dwell with spirits. Wake 
in mortal form! 

Witch begins to show signs of life as White Fairy 
continues to wave wand. ) 



The Fairy and The Witch 15 

White Fairy {Resuming) Too long hast thou dis- 
graced thy sex in Spirit World, in mortal life thou 
shalt assume the guise of man. 

(During preceding lines Witch mitst unfasten neces- 
sary strings, hooks, etc, , to allow entire costume to fall 
off as she rises. ^ Fairy reads next line upon receiving 
signal from Witch that all is ready. ) 

White Fairy (stepping back and raising wand) 
Rise mortal man. 

(Mortal rises, children cheer. ) 

White Fairy (Continuing) Be grateful for thy 
life. 

Note— If part of Witch is played by female 
omit this line and change words to feminine 
gender in following lines where necessary. 
In the original production the Witch was ef- 
fectively impersonated by a young man thus 
bringing out a stronger anti-climax upon res- 
toration to life. 

Mortal (bowing) I am grateful. 

(Fairy disposes of wand by hanging it on her dress, ) 

White Fairy Thy life is due these children. See 
thou be good to them else will thy life be forfeited to 
me again. Love them, I command thee. 

Mortal (bowing low and gently kissing Fairy^s 
hand) I will love them and obey thee, most gracious 
majesty. 

( White Fairy and Mortal clasp hands and turn to- 
ward audience. ) 

White Fairy Thus ever shall the powers of night 
and darkness be dispelled. 

Mortal And good will triumph over evil every- 
where. 

(They bow to audience and to each other.) 

White Fairy Will dance with us, my Lord? 
Mortal Your majesty doth honor me. 



16 The Fairy and The Witch 

{All join hands circling around kettle and sing dance 
song. Organ glides into march at end. All march 
off, I airy and Mortal in lead, then Mirth and Jollity, 
followed by children. Exunt all. ) 

CURTAIN. 



TWO PLAYS FOR BOYS 

By SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS. 



Mr. Tibbals has been unusually successful in fur- 
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Price 25 Cents 



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Price 25 Cents 

These comedies are protected by copyright, but 
permission for amateur production is granted with 
the purchase of the book. 



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